How to choose a tennis academy.
Nine questions worth asking any junior program in Orange County — including us. Use them on whoever you visit first.
Most academies sound alike on a website. They stop sounding alike about ninety seconds into a phone call, if you ask the right things. None of these questions is a trick — the answers are how a program runs, and a good one will be pleased you asked.
01
How big are the groups, and what happens when one more enrolls?
A good answer: A specific number, and a specific answer about the next child — they open another group, or they hold a waiting list.
Worth worrying about: “Small groups.” It is not a number, and it is the single easiest thing to quietly stretch when a season fills.
02
How is my child placed, and who decides?
A good answer: A coach watches them hit first. Placement is by what they can do, and somebody will tell you which group and why.
Worth worrying about: Placement by birth year alone. It guarantees that in any group, the work is aimed at somebody else's child.
03
What will I be told after a session?
A good answer: Something specific about your child, by name, most weeks — not a newsletter.
Worth worrying about: “We'll let you know if there's an issue.” That is a black box with a bill attached.
04
What is the investment, all in?
A good answer: A published price per season, per drop-in, and per pass, plus the discounts, before you ask.
Worth worrying about: “Contact us for pricing,” or a members-only portal. If you cannot compare before you commit, that is the point.
05
What happens if we travel, or my child is ill?
A good answer: A stated number of make-ups, and a stated way to use them.
Worth worrying about: “We'll see what we can do.” That is a policy nobody has written down, which means it changes with who you ask.
06
Who is on court, and what have they cleared?
A good answer: Named coaches, and a straight answer about background checks, first aid, and mandated-reporter training.
Worth worrying about: Vagueness. Ask directly. In California this is a documented requirement, not an imposition.
07
Is there ever one adult alone with children?
A good answer: A direct answer, not a hedge — and the same answer from whoever you ask. Lessons with a minor in open view, never behind a closed gate, and a parent welcome to stay.
Worth worrying about: Any answer that starts “well, in practice…”.
08
How do private lessons with a minor work?
A good answer: In open view, no closed gate, a parent welcome to stay, and all messaging copies a parent.
Worth worrying about: Anything involving private messaging with your child, or transport arranged directly with a coach.
09
What happens when my child stops enjoying it?
A good answer: A conversation about load, group fit, and whether more tennis is the answer — sometimes it is less.
Worth worrying about: An upsell. More sessions is not a development plan.
Go and stand at the fence.
Ask to watch a session before you enroll anywhere — including here. Count the players per coach. Watch how long any one child stands still. See whether they play points, or only drill.
Fifteen minutes at the fence tells you more than any brochure, and a program that would rather you did not watch has told you something too.
Ask us all nine.
We have answered them on this site already — group size, placement, price, make-ups. If any answer here does not match what you see on court, tell us.